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June 14, 2006
Australian employees part of the global climate change solution
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Through a new partnership launched today, 7000 families from across three states will be equipped to cut Australia's greenhouse emissions by 21,000 tonnes a year.
Australian households generate almost one-fifth of Australia’s greenhouse gases through everyday activities such as transport, household energy use and the decay of household waste in landfills.
In launching the Make an Impact initiative today, Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Elaine Carbines, said “The workforce and families of leading aluminium producer Alcoa will work toward changing this statistic and instead become part of the solution to global climate change”.
Make an Impact is the innovation of a partnership between Alcoa and Greening Australia, with the backing of the Australian Greenhouse Office.
It will see a ‘footprint reduction kit’ provided to each of Alcoa’s Australian employees, complete with a greenhouse calculator and range of tips on how to lower energy and water consumption and more effectively manage waste.
Alcoa General Manager Environment Health and Safety, Kim Horne, said Alcoa is already regarded as an industry leader on addressing climate change and this initiative complements the company’s efforts by providing local solutions to this global issue.
“Alcoa recognises its stewardship role in addressing the issue of climate change and is working at all levels to tackle it head on, said Mr Horne.
“Globally we achieved our target of reducing global direct greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2010 from a base year of 1990. This was achieved in 2003 and Alcoa is now working to maintain that reduction as we grow.
“In the transport industry, the aluminium we produce is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving the fuel efficiency and emission levels of motor vehicles.”
“Our people are already committed to environmental sustainability and by empowering them to take on this challenge in their own homes, we hope to see this approach move beyond our operations and out into our local communities.”
The Make an Impact initiative is part of Alcoa’s successful 24-year partnership with national environmental organisation Greening Australia, which has already resulted in the planting of over 10 million trees the rehabilitation of thousands of hectares of degraded land.
Greening Australia Chief Executive, Carl Binning said this program was an exciting extension of an already highly successful partnership and had the potential to make a real environmental difference.
"We are hoping to see each participating household reduce their greenhouse emissions by three tonnes a year, said Mr Binning
"And if you multiply that by over 7000 employees, it is a big saving."
“Our long-term partnership with Alcoa has involved a range of ambitious environmental and community programs around Australia.
“This initiative is the next bold step towards addressing climate change and harnessing industry support for this key issue.”
The Make an Impact program will commence at Alcoa’s Victorian operations before being introduced at Alcoa’s Western Australian and New South Wales operations in 2007.
For further information please contact:
Libby Archell, Communications Advisor, Alcoa of Australia: 0404 800 174
Emma Treadgold, Partnerships Manager, Greening Australia: 02 6281 8585
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